The Internet can be a powerful tool for democracy: it connects candidates to constituents, breaks down geographical barriers, and offers a platform for open dialogue.

As the Australian federal election gathers momentum, Fairfax Media (publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age) will be hosting a series of Google+ Hangouts On Air. They’ll be connecting voters will some of the most well-known faces asking for your vote come polling day.

Hosted by Fairfax political editor +Tim Lester, you can ask your questions and have your say via the +Sydney Morning Herald. And if you want to be in the Hangout On Air itself, you can leave a comment or pose a question here.

From US President Barack Obama to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japan’s Shinzo Abe, Hangouts On Air have been used by political leaders around the world to talk openly about topics that matter most to citizens. We look forward to some Aussie politicians adding to this growing tradition. We look forward to some Aussie politicians and citizens joining this global conversation.

For more information about the Fairfax Election Hangouts On Air, click here.